Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, stated in a social media post that he has been informed by special counsel Jack Smith that he is a target of the investigation into the Capitol riot and attempts to overturn the election. Trump claimed he received a letter instructing him to report to a grand jury, which he interpreted as an indication of an impending arrest and indictment.
The special counsel, Jack Smith, has not immediately responded to media inquiries regarding Trump’s claim.
If an indictment were to occur, it would be the third for Trump, including charges related to mishandling classified documents brought by Smith’s team in June, as well as charges in New York City for falsifying business records in relation to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Trump is scheduled to stand trial in the New York City case in March, while the date for the classified documents case is still being contested by his lawyers.
The special counsel, Jack Smith, was appointed by US Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump’s handling of classified documents after leaving the White House and to manage the investigation into the Capitol riot and attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
The investigation has involved interviews with numerous Trump administration officials and advisers, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani, as well as state officials who claim Trump pressured them to discard the election results.
The specific criminal violations being considered by the special counsel’s office have not been disclosed, but the investigation focuses on efforts to interfere with the lawful transfer of power and the certification of the Electoral College vote.
Similar investigations are also taking place in Atlanta, Georgia, where state prosecutors are examining whether Trump illegally pressured officials to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state.
Donald Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has portrayed the investigations and indictments as politically motivated attempts to prevent him from returning to the White House.
The indictments have reportedly boosted fundraising for Trump’s campaign, with millions of dollars raised for his legal defense and campaign funds.
Georgia prosecutors are expected to make a decision on whether to indict Trump in August.